Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on making judgements

One Sunday when I was at Knox, we welcomed newcomers to the community at the beginning of the service. Then some time later, one of these new members was set to be our scripture reader. I called her name and looked around, probably with a worried look on my face, as I could not see her near the front. Then I noticed her getting up in the back row and starting to make her way toward me. But her pace was slow, and she seemed to be in pain to such a degree that a couple of people stood up hoping to help her. She declined with a wave of her hand; got to the front and arduously climbed the stairs to the pulpit.

She read well, and then returned to a seat. this time near the front.

I felt badly as I had never noticed her laboured walking before. Why had she not seated herself nearer to the front previously? Why didn’t she have a cane?

When I met her after the service, I thanked her for her reading and then tried to diplomatically suggest she sit closer to the pulpit next time.

“Oh.” she replied with a smile. “I walk just fine. But I’d been sitting on my foot, and it had gone to sleep. I was all pins and needles.”

Often we become confused when people do things that appear to us to be foolish or perhaps just wrong. Someone puts out a strange suggestion at a meeting or proposes something that is completely out of character for them. A friend makes an impassioned diatribe about a very normal request or turns down an offer of help when we know they need it. At such times, we have a desire the step in with our superior wisdom and correct them or set them straight.

But before doing so, it is always wise to ask ourselves. “Why?” If people act oddly, there is a reason. If people seem inordinately upset by some trivial event, there is a history there that we are missing.

To express love, we need to know, as best we can, the roots of untypical behaviour. Before acting, we need to assess what exactly the situation is. A wish to rush to judgement, may lead us in the wrong direction. A pause to evaluate, may help us to be truly helpful.

Grant

A Prayer 

Pause to take time to open yourself to God’ wisdom.

Then think about three recent situations in which people have acted or responded strangely. Then ask why, and ponder ways to respectfully find out more about what is going on or how to make such upsetting situations better.

Then pause and be assured that answers will come and compassion can be expressed. 

Amen.